Georgia Dems coalescing to support Sam Nunn's daughter for Senate

Here's a good example of how far a famous last name can take you in politics.Beloved former Georgia Senator Sam Nunn's daughter has been quietly spreading the word in recent weeks that she will be a candidate for the senate seat being vacated by the retiring Republican Saxby Chambliss. This has thrilled national Democrats who have been working on Ms. Nunn for months.

Nunn has emerged as Democrats' top choice for the seat in recent weeks, and began moving towards a run shortly after Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.) announced he'd retire at the end of his term.

Democrats are excited about her profile as a female administrator of the largest organization in the country dedicated to volunteer service.

Nunn attended a DSCC fundraiser in Atlanta last Sunday headlined by President Obama, and worked the room hard, making sure to meet and greet everyone there.

According to sources, she also told a number of people in the room that day that she was running, and the only question was when she would announce.

At the event, Nunn had a brief conversation with DSCC Chairman Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), who was in attendance, and was included in a small group of VIPs in attendance who had a chance to meet Obama before the fundraiser.

The source close to Nunn says she's got a "lot of local and national leaders who are informing her about how a campaign should be run," and while there have been no decisions on campaign staff at this point, she's "putting the team together."

That includes heavy-hitting EMILY's List, a group that backs pro-abortion-rights Democratic women. The organization could help her in a big way with national fundraising.

"Michelle Nunn has an incredible story and a strong track record of leadership in Georgia," group spokeswoman Marcy Stech told The Hill via email. "The EMILY's List community is excited about her potential run."

Nunn has been Democrats' main focus for the seat since Rep. John Barrow (D-Ga.) decided against a bid in early May.

Democrats are hopeful they can make Georgia competitive this cycle, citing it as their best opportunity to play offense in a year where they're mostly defending seats.

Ms. Nunn runs the Points of Light charitable foundation but has never run for public office. This may be a positive in the upcoming mid terms as disgust with incumbents or anyone currently working in Washington may be worth something.

The GOP doesn't have anyone running yet with the star quality of Nunn. But they have some solid candidates who have announced already, including Reps. Paul Broun, Phil Gingrey, and Jack Kingston, as well as former Georgia Secretary of State Karen Handel.

How far will Nunn's famous name take her? It will probably give her a primary win, but beyond that, much will depend on how the GOP can portray her as a liberal Democrat more like Nancy Pelosi than the centrist her father was.

Here's a good example of how far a famous last name can take you in politics.

Beloved former Georgia Senator Sam Nunn's daughter has been quietly spreading the word in recent weeks that she will be a candidate for the senate seat being vacated by the retiring Republican Saxby Chambliss. This has thrilled national Democrats who have been working on Ms. Nunn for months.

Nunn has emerged as Democrats' top choice for the seat in recent weeks, and began moving towards a run shortly after Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.) announced he'd retire at the end of his term.

Democrats are excited about her profile as a female administrator of the largest organization in the country dedicated to volunteer service.

Nunn attended a DSCC fundraiser in Atlanta last Sunday headlined by President Obama, and worked the room hard, making sure to meet and greet everyone there.

According to sources, she also told a number of people in the room that day that she was running, and the only question was when she would announce.

At the event, Nunn had a brief conversation with DSCC Chairman Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), who was in attendance, and was included in a small group of VIPs in attendance who had a chance to meet Obama before the fundraiser.

The source close to Nunn says she's got a "lot of local and national leaders who are informing her about how a campaign should be run," and while there have been no decisions on campaign staff at this point, she's "putting the team together."

That includes heavy-hitting EMILY's List, a group that backs pro-abortion-rights Democratic women. The organization could help her in a big way with national fundraising.

"Michelle Nunn has an incredible story and a strong track record of leadership in Georgia," group spokeswoman Marcy Stech told The Hill via email. "The EMILY's List community is excited about her potential run."

Nunn has been Democrats' main focus for the seat since Rep. John Barrow (D-Ga.) decided against a bid in early May.

Democrats are hopeful they can make Georgia competitive this cycle, citing it as their best opportunity to play offense in a year where they're mostly defending seats.

Ms. Nunn runs the Points of Light charitable foundation but has never run for public office. This may be a positive in the upcoming mid terms as disgust with incumbents or anyone currently working in Washington may be worth something.

The GOP doesn't have anyone running yet with the star quality of Nunn. But they have some solid candidates who have announced already, including Reps. Paul Broun, Phil Gingrey, and Jack Kingston, as well as former Georgia Secretary of State Karen Handel.

How far will Nunn's famous name take her? It will probably give her a primary win, but beyond that, much will depend on how the GOP can portray her as a liberal Democrat more like Nancy Pelosi than the centrist her father was.